With significant turnover in the wide receiver’s room this offseason, opportunity exists.
Josh Heupel said as much while speaking with the media in early March to kick off spring camp.
One player looking to take advantage of the opportunity in the room is rising redshirt freshman receiver Amari Jefferson.
The six-foot receiver was a four-star prospect in the 2024 recruiting class from Baylor School in Chattanooga, TN. Jefferson spent his first collegiate season at Alabama under head coach Kaleb DeBoer but wound up transferring back to his home state this offseason to play for the Vols. Jefferson is a fresh, young talent who could develop into a playmaker for Tennessee.
Jefferson has been battling a hip injury through the first handful of spring practices but ramped up his workload during Tuesday’s workout as he sinks his teeth into the Vols’ offense.
“Limited the first couple days,” Heupel said about Jefferson after practice Tuesday. “He’s kind of been building into contact here. Had the most work that he has had today. A guy that it matters for him to be here. He loves the program, the culture of the program, the way we work and compete together. He’s a really smart kid. It’s going to be fun to watch him just continue to grow throughout the course of spring ball.”
More from RTI: Everything Josh Heupel Said Tuesday After Tennessee Resumed Spring Practice
Tennessee’s receiver room has been a big offseason topic this offseason after the Vols lost Dont’e Thornton and Bru McCoy to the next level and Squirrel White and a handful of rotational players to the transfer portal. Adding in Jefferson was Tennessee’s offseason transfer move to address the position, in addition to the recruiting class that was brought in.
Tennessee will return Chris Brazzell from the starting 2024 lineup while rising second-year players Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley look to put their mark on the offense on a more regular basis. Aside from that, though, there’s plenty to unfold between now and the start of the season. Once he heals up from his banged-up status this spring, Jefferson will have the opportunity to insert himself into that upper conversation with his talent and ability.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee football coverage during spring camp.
